Hewlett-Packard nw9440
Created by: Bill Giannikos,Last modification on Thu 16 of Aug, 2007 [07:53 UTC]by Bill Giannikos
This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which drivers you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required drivers have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.
If you are looking to purchase this laptop you can visit HP's notebook page.
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Hewlett-Packard nw9440 laptop. The nw9440 is a large high end laptop with a very impressive array of features included.Editing This Page
View our Editing GuidelinesSpecifications
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 2.16GHz | |
| Screen | 17" WUXGA | |
| RAM | 1GB | |
| HDD | 100GB | |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW | |
| Graphics | NVIDIA Quadro FX 1500M | |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless, Bluetooth | |
| Other | 4 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire, Fingerprint Reader | |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | See notes below |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-hda-intel driver |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use ipw3945 driver |
| Bluetooth | Yes | |
| 56K Modem | Yes | Use the Linuxant driver |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Yes | |
| SD Card Reader | Yes | |
| PCMCIA | Yes | |
| Fingerprint Reader | No | |
Notes
For the NVIDIA Quadro FX 1500M graphics processor found in the nw9440 you should use the NVIDIA proprietary driver. The nw9440 has a bug which causes the graphics chip to overheat when using the open source 'nv driver. For installation instructions you can view our Configuring a nVidia graphics chip guide. For OpenGL support you will need the proprietary driver.Related Resources
Preparing your laptop for LinuxConfiguring a nVidia graphics chip
Configuring the ipw3945 driver for the Intel 3945ABG wireless controller
Increasing battery life
Summary
There were no problems in getting the Hewlett-Packard nw9440 notebook working when used with an up to date Linux distribution.Have you installed Linux on this laptop? If so how about leaving a comment about your success in the comments section below.
Comments
Wireless irregularities and other
I also have problems with certain non-standard apps recognizing the sound card; VMware Player and my VOIP interface both don't see it.
Switching to external monitors (for instance, running presentations through a projector) is iffy.
Otherwise, the laptop (and OpenSuse 10.3) rock.
Oh, and one more thing:
Many different models of nw9440
"Compaq nw9440" does not actually mean anything. It's a FAMILY of machines.
My machine is a nw9440, but the actual model/part/whatever is EZ901AA#ABA. This is a Core Duo (not Core 2!) T2600, 80GB 7200 RPM, 8x lightscribe dvd+-rw (dl), 1GB 533MHz ram, 1680x1050 17" panel, conexant hsf modem. other than cpu,disk,ram,panel AFAIK everything else stays pretty much the same, but YMMV.
Anyway, telling people that the above specs correspond to a "Compaq nw9440" is misleading. To be fair, so is the use of that same badge for machines which appear to have at least six different processors depending on which model you buy. Shame on you, HP/Compaq.
Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon sound problems
So if anyone out there is running a nw9440 with Feisty Fawn and is considering an upgrade.... Don't. At least wait until this issue has been solved.
My experience differs
Commercial 'nvidia' driver supports only top resolution (1680x1050 on my model.)
Bluetooth tested, working
Modem tested, working; Costs $20 for a driver from conexant (I only tested with free driver, 14.4kbps)
Firewire working without problems for me, but I've only used two devices.
SD working
PCMCIA working
fingerprint reader support is coming but not there (and biometric pam is sketchy so far anyway)
wireless doesn't quite work right on many versions of the kernel.
Using Ubuntu Feisty.
Re: My experience differs